EU Council Adopts Framework Decision on Combating Corruption in the Private Sector

On August 2, 2002, the Official Journal of the European Communities carried the European Union Council adoption of a framework Decision on combating corruption in the private sector at the initiative by the Danish Government. The preamble refers to two conventions: the Convention on the Fight Against Corruption Involving Officials of the European Communities or Officials of Member States of the European, which the Council approved on May 26, 1997, which a number of EU Members have not yet ratified; and the Council of Europe Criminal Law Convention on Corruption of January 27, 1999. The Council Framework Decision is designed to force those EU Members that had not ratified the two conventions to act within one year. The decision illustrates the legislative power of the council to compel action in international criminal matters by all Eu Members and even impose a time frame. The decision shows the prioritization by the Eu and other countries of taking action to prevent and to prosecute transnational corruption and the provide for uniform in the application of the law.